Friday, 31 March 2023

CNN Hero of the Year Nelly Cheboi returned to Kenya with plans to lift more students out of poverty

Just weeks after being named the 2022 CNN Hero of the Year, Nelly Cheboi traveled more than 7,000 miles to bring her award home. Far from the lights, cameras, and celebrities who surrounded her at the gala event in New York City, Cheboi was greeted by her own heroes: the students she serves in rural Mogotio, Kenya.

Japan joins the US and Europe in chipmaking curbs on China

Japan will restrict the overseas sale of chip manufacturing equipment, joining the United States and the Netherlands in curbing the export of key technology to China.

Amsterdam asks 'wild' young male British tourists to 'stay away'

Amsterdam is asking young British men to "stay away" if they plan to visit the city to cut loose and "go wild".

UK reaches its biggest trade deal since Brexit, joining trans-Pacific partnership

Britain has reached an agreement to join a major trans-Pacific partnership, calling it its biggest trade deal since Brexit.

Asia's best restaurant for 2023 revealed

Bangkok has long been considered a world capital when it comes to street food. But these days, its fine dining scene is proving to be just as alluring.

Why 2023 is the year to visit Mongolia

Due to its remoteness and short summer season, Mongolia has long been a destination overlooked by travelers.

Thursday, 30 March 2023

Amateur gold digger finds huge nugget worth $160,000 in Australia

An amateur gold digger has found an enormous gold nugget worth 240,000 AUD ($160,000) in Australia.

'Hotel Rwanda' hero Paul Rusesabagina arrives back in US

Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the Hollywood film "Hotel Rwanda" and was freed from prison in Kigali last week, returned to the United States on Wednesday, arriving at the US Army's Brooke Army Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio, according to a State Department official.

Bolsonaro claims he won't lead opposition as he returns to Brazil for first time since riots

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday claimed he would no longer lead the country's opposition as he boarded a flight home for the first time since his election defeat that culminated in thousands of his supporters rioting in protest at the result.

Beijing warns of 'severe impact' on US-China relations as Taiwan's leader lands in New York

Taiwan's relationship with the United States has "never been closer," its President Tsai Ing-wen said after arriving in New York City Wednesday, as Beijing warned her visit could lead to "serious confrontation" between China and the US.

Surreal landscapes, happy cities: Where to go in China in 2023

With China finally reopening to the world, it's time to dust off that travel wish list and start planning.

Biden and Netanyahu trade barbs over plan to weaken Israeli courts

Israel's embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu escalated a rare public dispute with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday, rejecting "pressure" from the White House after Biden criticized his controversial efforts to weaken the Israeli judiciary.

Wednesday, 29 March 2023

Taliban arrests prominent girls' education activist as repressive clampdown continues

A prominent activist for girls' education in Afghanistan was arrested by the Taliban on Monday, according to an official, the latest step in its repressive clampdown on the rights of Afghan women.

Myanmar junta dissolves Suu Kyi's party as election deadline passes

Myanmar's military government has dissolved the ousted ruling party of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and 39 other parties, state media announced on Tuesday, over their failure to register for an election set to prolong the army's grip on power.

As North Korea ramps up missile tests, US and South Korean troops practice assaulting a beach

North Korea has been building up a ballistic missile arsenal on the stated premise that it needs to deter an attack on it by US and South Korean forces.

Jet lag hits differently depending on your travel direction. Here are 6 tips to get over it

After a few difficult years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, people are finally winging their way across the globe again; families are being reunited and sights are being seen.

How a European country plans rail revolution

In the Czech countryside, not far from Prague, a ghostly white train is speeding around and around a huge loop of track.

Analysis: Why Israel's instability matters to the US

• Netanyahu says he will delay his judicial overhaul. But will that be enough for protesters? • Live Updates: Netanyahu not backing down over 'need for reform' • In Pictures: Protests erupt in Israel over judicial reform • Video: 'Never seen anything like this': CNN reporter on protests

Tuesday, 28 March 2023

It's one of the world's best Chinese restaurants. But it's not in China

Inside a dimly lit dining room, chef Tomoya Kawada of Sazenka is drawing a yin-yang diagram on a notepad as he explains his dreams for the distant future.

Portrait of the lives of Faroe Islands' unmarried men

In her striking images of the Faroe Islands, a remote archipelago between Iceland and her native Norway, photographer Andrea Gjestvang depicts islanders and livelihoods that are as tough and unforgiving as the windswept landscape.

Nearly 200 Rohingya people land by boat in Indonesia's Aceh

More than 180 Rohingya Muslims landed in Indonesia's Aceh province on Monday, officials said, the latest among hundreds who have fled by boat from desperate conditions in Myanmar and in camps in Bangladesh.

The celebrity jeweler bringing iconic, red-carpet pieces to sale

Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Blake Lively. These are just some of the names Lorraine Schwartz reels off as she points out items of exquisite jewelry kept in a row of glass vitrines.

Elian Gonzalez's new chapter as a Cuban lawmaker

More than two decades after he was found clinging to an inner tube in the Straits of Florida, Elián González is taking on his most high profile role since the bitter custody battle that returned him to Cuba.

Monday, 27 March 2023

Lebanon reverses decision on Daylight Saving, amid confusion on two different timezones

Lebanon's government has walked back a controversial decision to delay winter clock changes by a month, after last week's announcement by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati sparked exasperation and confusion in a country already gripped by economic crisis.

'World's longest' bus journey will take 56 days to cross Europe

Fancy spending two months traveling overland from Istanbul to London without ever having to get behind the wheel?

Myanmar junta throws huge military parade days after new US sanctions

Myanmar's ruling military paraded an arsenal of weapons in the capital Naypyidaw on Monday, in a grand display of force days after the United States imposed fresh sanctions against the junta for inflicting "pain and suffering on the people of Burma."

Nearly 8 million driver license numbers and passport numbers stolen in Australia

Digital payments and lending firm Latitude Holdings said on Monday that 7.9 million Australian and New Zealand driver license numbers were stolen in a large-scale information theft on March 16.

Japan wants 85% of male workers to take paternity leave. But fathers are too afraid to take it

A child riding on his father's shoulders smiles as they stroll through a park lined with yellow autumn-touched leaves -- that is the typical image of a Japanese "ikumen".

North Korea launches at least two unidentified ballistic missile into waters off eastern Korean peninsula

North Korea launched at least one unidentified ballistic missile into the waters off the east coast of the Korean peninsula on Monday morning local time, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

England hands Ukraine defeat on emotional night at Wembley Stadium

The sight of Ukrainian flags flying along Wembley Way -- the road approaching the iconic Wembley Stadium -- took on extra significance Sunday as Ukraine faced England in its Euro 2024 qualifier.

Sunday, 26 March 2023

Argentina FA training facility renamed after Lionel Messi

The Argentina national team's training facility has been renamed after talismanic captain Lionel Messi in recognition of his World Cup heroics and star-studded career, the country's football association (AFA) said on Saturday.

Sicilian island sees record-high migrant arrivals by boat

A record of more than 2,000 migrants arrived on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa in the past day, an Italian official said on Saturday.

Saturday, 25 March 2023

Suspect in Haitian president's assassination accepts plea deal in Florida

A suspect in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, who was killed in his bedroom in July of 2021, accepted a plea agreement from US federal prosecutors on Friday.

Amazon Prime Video’s Jubilee: A celebration of the golden era of Hindustani cinema

Amazon Prime Video’s Jubilee: A celebration of the golden era of Hindustani cinema

When a director like Vikramaditya Motwane charts new territory in the shape of a 10-episode web series, with lip-sync songs, something he has never done before, there is high curiosity value. It’s called Jubilee and the trailer was launched at Four Seasons Hotel, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai, on Friday afternoon. Starting just 30 minutes after the scheduled time, the proceedings ended within an hour, which is commendable by comparison with most such events.

Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and created by Soumik Sen and Vikramaditya Motwane, Jubilee has been produced by Andolan Films (of Vikramaditya), in association with Reliance Entertainment and Phantom Studios. Motwane has directed only six films, though he has produced many more.

The series has an ensemble cast, led by Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aditi Rao Hydari, Aparshakti Khurana, Wamiqa Gabbi, Sidhant Gupta, Nandish Sandhu, and Ram Kapoor, and features soundtrack composed by Amit Trivedi. There are as many as 10 songs in the series, and this was a pre-condition set by Aparna Purohit, Head of India Originals, at Amazon Prime Video, when Vikramaditya pitched the project to Amazon. Growing up in Delhi, Aparna was a big movie buff, and songs were inherent in the golden era of the Hindustani film industry, the 50s, 60s and 70s. In fact Jubilee takes us to the Bombay of 1947.

Incorporating so many songs, and recreating the ambience, meant very high budgets, and Amazon was ready to back the project on this front too. In fact, during the interaction, there was some fun and mirth about budget, but it was all in good humour. One of these songs was performed on the occasion, which had a distinct O. P. Nayyar feel to it. Jubilee’s songs have been penned by Kausar Munir, who has two generations of literature behind her and the music director is Amit Trivedi.

“When Vikram first came to me with the story, I instantly connected with the character of Srikant Roy. He is a person who lives and breathes cinema and has dedicated his life to it. As someone who has worked in the industry for four decades, I could immediately relate to that! Jubilee represents a glorious time of Indian Cinema, and as an actor I, feel responsible for doing right by it. I don’t think there could’ve been a better series for me to make my OTT debut with!”, said Prosenjit Chatterjee       

Aditi Rao Hydari opened up about the series, saying, "Sumitra Kumari has been an incredibly challenging and layered character to play. She is a star, she is powerful and has the world at her feet except for that one thing that she really wants, it’s what makes her vulnerable, and eventually becomes her north star. Vikramaditya Motwane is such an amazing and sensitive director and he is completely an actor’s director. Atul Sabharwal and him have created a story that is beautiful and compelling and it is a joy and honour to be able to share this with viewers all over the world with Prime Video’s global reach.”

Aparshakti Khurana shared, “Jubilee for me as an actor was a complete no-brainer. When I heard the story, and especially Binod’s journey, I knew I had to do this. It is one of the most challenging characters I have played to date, but also the most rewarding. Doing theatre in Delhi, I was always given dark, menacing roles. Here, there was a volte face, with comedy after comedy. Vikramaditya Motwane is a maverick, he has been able to bring out the best in not just me, but the entire cast and crew. This is a series that is really close to my heart and now with Prime Video we’re going to be able to take it to audiences across the world! In fact, I feel have just been born on screen, and this film, after a dozen comedies, will emerge as my most significant role.”

“For me, working with a director like Vikramaditya Motwane and playing a character like Nilofer has been a dream come true. Her journey in the series is so powerful and inspiring, that I knew I had to play this character. Every scene of the series is a work of art; it has been a surreal experience. Stories like Jubilee aren’t made often, it is my absolute privilege to be a part of this. I’m thrilled to know that Jubilee will premiere on Prime Video globally and audiences worldwide will be able to witness this beautiful show,” said Wamiqa Gabbi.

Sidhant Gupta shared, “Jubilee for me is one big emotion. Sure, there’s pain and fear, but there’s Love and Wonder. Jay Khanna believes in the magic this life has to offer and that is what he brings to the celluloid. He doesn’t know how to give up, no matter what life throws at him, that was the only common thread between him and me, in real life. Finding this character within has been fascinating. I hope Jay Khanna makes the viewers fall in love with their dreams all over again.

Ram Kapoor delighted the audience by saying that, “Within every Punjabi, there is a streak called Punjaba. They try to keep it tightly hidden, but at the opportune moment, it surfaces. That is the kind of role I am playing in Jubilee. For the first time, I am not acting at all, just being myself, all thanks to Vikramaditya Motwane.”

A drama described as Glamour, Glitz, Aspirations and Betrayals, in Jubilee, Vikramaditya Motwane has represented an entire era, and not one or two films. “Of course, the effort has been to re-create an entire era, over 10 hours, and not a particular film. There are some references to personalities that you might identify with, others are subtler, but they are all there. Part One (Episodes One-Five) of Jubilee will premiere on April 7, with Part Two (Episodes Six-10) releasing the following week on April 14 

The supporting cast includes Shweta Basu Prasad, Arun Govil, Sukhmanee Lamba, Aarya Bhatta, Narottam Bain, Alok Arora and Suhani Popli. Jubilee is a layered drama that chronicles the lives of a studio boss, his movie-star wife, a trusted aide, a rising star, a nautch girl and a refugee and the gambles they’re willing to take in pursuit of their dreams, passion, ambition and love.

Amazon Prime offers unlimited streaming of the latest and exclusive movies, TV shows, stand-up comedy, Amazon Originals, ad-free music listening through Amazon Prime Music, free fast delivery on India’s largest selection of products, early access to top deals, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, and mobile gaming content with Prime Gaming, all available for an annual membership of Rs. 1499.  Consumers can also buy Prime Video Mobile Edition at INR 599 per year—the single-user, mobile-only annual plan provides access to Prime Video’s catalogue of entertainment

Trailer: https://youtu.be/7-m9A6tC7A0 (cut and paste)



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Parthenon fragments returned by the Vatican go on display in Greece

The Vatican has returned three fragments of the Parthenon sculptures kept by the Vatican for centuries to Greece.

The far out, far-right plot that Germany is still trying to unravel

An extremist and until recently almost unheard-of network in Germany is back in the spotlight after police carried out nationwide raids against it.

A threat to democracy or much-needed reform? Israel's judicial overhaul explained

For months hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been taking to the streets across the country to regularly protest far-reaching changes to the Israel's legal system some say threaten the country's democratic foundations.

Why the Syrian drone strikes and US retaliation may yet be a big deal

The US has conducted an airstrike in Syria against what it said were Iranian-affiliated facilities after a suspected Iranian drone struck a facility housing US personnel in the country, killing an American contractor and wounding five US service members.

Friday, 24 March 2023

EU was set to ban internal combustion engine cars. Then Germany suddenly changed its mind



The hotel shaped like two gigantic swords

In Qatar, a country where the subway has a business class compartment and Friday brunch is a competitive sport, opulence is a mere baseline.

Nani’s Dasara creates Dhoom Dhaam across the earth, the moon and the sun

Nani’s Dasara creates Dhoom Dhaam across the earth, the moon and the sun

To north Indians, Nani means maternal grandmother. Wonder what it means in Nani’s native Telugu. His full name, though, is Ghanta Naveen Babu, and he is 39. After a dubbed success called Super Khiladi 4, in this, his 29th film, Dasara, he has a very earthy look, unshaven and with long, unruly hair. “You might be pardoned for thinking that this is the same look sported by Allu Arjun in Pushpa, though the two films are poles apart. But I tell you what. If you liked Pushpa, come and see Dasara. You will not be disappointed.”

Nani, a former RJ and assistant director, was speaking at the PVR Juhu Multiplex, where the audience was shown the teaser, the trailer and the song, ‘Dhoom Dhaam’. Also present on the occasion were heroine of the film, Keerthi Suresh, co-star Dheekshith Shetty (who makes his feature film debut), producer Srikanth Chundi Garu and surprise guest, Rana Dagubatti. Rana had come to promote his friend’s film. Nani produced his first film, D for Dopidi in 2013. His second production was Awe, in 2018.Years ago, Ajay Devgn had turned up to promote Nani’s earlier film. Nani has not forgotten that gesture. Although the Ajay Devgn starrer Bholaa is releasing on the same day as Dasara, 30 March, Nani will first go to see Bholaa and then his own film.

Sharing the experience of making Dasara, Nani confessed that it was no picnic. In fact, shooting the scenes in dust and mud was sheer torture. “But when we saw the results on the monitor, at the end of the day, it was worth every bit.” Asked by a media-person whether the story is a casualty amidst all the gory violence in Telugu films, Nani said, “This is the most emotional film of my career. Also, my character in the film is the most vulnerable one I have ever portrayed.” In an answer to another question, he responded, “Earlier, Telugu films were a notch below Hindi films. Now they have caught up and it is a level playing field.”

Keerthi (sometimes spelt Keerthy), looking stunningly sexy, confided that Nani was always open to discussion about how to do particular scenes, but he was a prankster as well, always pulling somebody’s leg. “The best part was that the unit let me be what I am at heart – a brat.” She also revealed that it took her some effort to get the Telangana dialect right. Dheekshith Shetty was reluctant to say anything, because he had been warned to keep mum. Earlier, he has spilled some beans in an interview, and therefore the gag. All he said was, “I play Nani’s friend and my name is Suri.” Explaining the name, Nani averred, “My name in the film, Dharini, stands for earth in the film, Keerthi's name is Vennela, which is the moon and Dheekshith is the sun.”

In the videos we saw, there was a liberal flow of alcohol. I was told that at the entrance, downstairs, mock-tails were served, in liquor-like bottles, but by that time I was already on my seat in the auditorium. Compère Nitin did a competent job, with the usual trope built in, while Rana Dagubatti proved that he is fluent in English, and getting fluent in Hindi too. He has spent most of the last 12-13 years here, in Mumbai, and that should help him with the lingo. Ramanaidu Daggubati was born in Madras (present-day Chennai), Tamil Nadu to film producer D. Suresh Babu. He is named after his paternal grandfather, D. Ramanaidu, a prominent Telugu and Hindi film producer. A member of the Daggubati–Akkineni family, his paternal uncle Venkatesh, and his cousin Naga Chaitanya, are also actors.

Dasara, apparently, is a reference to the festival that precedes Deepavali. In north India, it is spelt Dussehra or Dashahra. This usually falls in October. No wonder the advertising line reads, ‘This year, Dasara will be in March.’

The song is what you would expect in a movie of its genre. It begins with a tepid qavvaalee, but when the performers have had their share of the devil’s brew, the Dhoom Dhaam begins in earnest.



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Deutsche Bank, UBS stocks sink as European banking crisis fear returns

Europe's banking stocks tumbled Friday in a sign that investors are still nervous that the recent crises at some banks could spill over into the wider sector.

The story behind this striking new look from F1 driver Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is putting a new spin on the term "fast fashion." In recent years, the world champion Formula One driver has slowly but surely steered into the world of high fashion — using the racetrack, and accompanying appearances, as his own makeshift runway.

Locks of Beethoven's hair reveal secret family history and health issues

Before composer Ludwig van Beethoven died on March 27, 1827, it was his wish that his ailments be studied and shared so "as far as possible at least the world will be reconciled to me after my death."

Trudeau lays out China approach ahead of Biden meeting

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out a three-pronged vision of engagement, competition and confrontation with China in a CNN interview on Thursday, ahead of a much-anticipated meeting with US President Joe Biden in which the two Western leaders are expected to cover a number of security issues.

Thursday, 23 March 2023

Remember when Christian Bale wore makeup on the red carpet?

Remember when a 24-year-old Christian Bale wowed onlookers with this red carpet look featuring a shimmering sweep of silver eyeshadow that struck like lightning across his face?

India's Rahul Gandhi found guilty of defamation, given two-year sentence

A court in western India found opposition leader Rahul Gandhi guilty of defamation on Thursday for a speech he made in 2019 in which he referred to thieves as having the surname Modi, and sentenced him two years in prison.

Taiwan recalls ambassador from Honduras, prepares to lose another diplomatic ally to China

Taiwan announced Thursday it will recall its ambassador to Honduras as ties between the two worsen, with the Central American nation preparing to switch diplomatic recognition from the self-governing island to China.

Beijing's population has declined for the first time in 19 years

Beijing, the sprawling Chinese capital and one of the world's biggest cities, saw its population drop last year for the first time in 19 years as the country grapples with a demographic crisis decades in the making.

Haiti soccer sexual abuse scandal: Impending defamation lawsuit could cost journalist $64,700 if he loses. He says he'll 'never give up'

An investigative journalist who detailed allegations of sexual abuse and harassment against the former Haitian Football Federation (FHF) president is now facing a defamation lawsuit designed to gag him, his lawyer tells CNN Sport.

Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

Canada saw record population growth in 2022, with immigration accounting for the vast majority of the 1.05 million new residents.

Wednesday, 22 March 2023

The war in Yemen could get even more fierce as Saudi Arabia and Iran reconcile

A surprise agreement by regional archenemies Saudi Arabia and Iran this month has raised hopes that the Saudi war in Yemen may come to an end, after more than seven years of hostilities that saw tens of thousands of civilians killed or injured and the country left in ruins.

Global markets tick higher as investors await key Fed decision

European and Asian shares traded higher Wednesday as investors awaited the US Federal Reserve's next monetary policy decision later in the day.

Wall Street is thirsty for its next big investment opportunity: The West's vanishing water

Situated in the Sonoran Desert near the Arizona-California border is the tiny rural town of Cibola -- home to roughly 300 people, depending on the season.

Boris Johnson to be quizzed by lawmakers over claims he misled parliament

Boris Johnson will on Wednesday hit back at claims he deliberately misled parliament while serving as British prime minister.

Thailand to hold general election on May 14, poll body says

Thailand will hold elections on May 14, the national poll body said on Tuesday, a day after parliament was dissolved.

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Saudi Arabia releases dual US-Saudi citizen from prison after he posted critical tweets about the kingdom

Saudi Arabia released US-Saudi dual national Saad Ibrahim Almadi from prison, more than a year after he was arrested for tweets critical of the kingdom, Almadi's son, Ibrahim, told CNN.

Israeli minister denies the existence of a Palestinian identity, inviting US rebuke

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich denied the existence of a Palestinian people or nationhood over the weekend, prompting a rebuke from the United States just weeks after calling for a Palestinian town to be "erased."

Taiwan's President to transit US on Central America trip, but no word on meeting with Speaker McCarthy

Taiwan confirmed Tuesday that President Tsai Ing-wen will transit the United States en route to Central America at the end of the month, but there was no word on whether a highly anticipated meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will take place.

London's Metropolitan Police lets predators flourish, review concludes

London's Metropolitan Police Service has allowed predatory behavior to flourish within its force and failed to adequately protect members of the public from abuse, as well as its own female staff, according to a review that accused the organization of perpetuating a misogynistic, sexist, racist and homophobic internal culture, according to PA news agency.

World's longest canal reopens after dramatic makeover

When it comes to tourist attractions, a lot has happened in China over the last few years.

France's government survives no-confidence votes

Two no-confidence votes against French President Emmanuel Macron's government have failed in the country's parliament, clearing the way for his hugely unpopular pension reforms to be implemented and sparking new protests in Paris.

Monday, 20 March 2023

India cuts internet to 27 million as Punjab police hunt Sikh separatist

Indian authorities have blocked internet access for about 27 million people in the state of Punjab for a third straight day -- one of the country's most extensive blackouts in recent years -- as police search for a Sikh separatist on the run.

Former Australian soldier arrested for alleged war crime in Afghanistan

A former soldier has become the first serving Australian serviceman or veteran charged with the war crime of murder for allegedly killing a civilian while on deployment in Afghanistan.

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou to make historic visit to mainland China

Taiwan's former president Ma Ying-jeou will visit mainland China next week, the first such trip by a former Taiwanese leader since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

The world's greatest places of 2023, according to TIME

Gather round, some hot new travel inspo just dropped. TIME magazine has just released its annual list of the World's Greatest Places, and we're here to tell you the where, the why and the what behind its picks.

Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Cinema Speculation’: Autobiography? Encyclopaedia? Critiques?...Keep Speculating!

Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Cinema Speculation’: Autobiography? Encyclopaedia? Critiques?...Keep Speculating!

Confined by time (1968-1981) and restricted to select genres, like revenge, gory violence, exploitation and blaxploitation, Quentin Tarantino’s 392-page hard-cover Hachette publication is a voyage of discovery that is not for the feeble-hearted or the purist. In baseball and cricketing terminology, he hits the ball all over the park. Though he was born in 1963, the (restricted entry) films of the 60s and early 70s that feature in his ‘anthology’ were seen either much later or were seen in their first run thanks to ushers who looked the other way when he tagged along with his mother, who was a movie buff.

As a director, he has made nine films, the first being Reservoir Dogs (“The title meant nothing. It just sounded nice)”, Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He has said time and again that he will probably make one last film, his tenth, and then retire from film-making, concentrating on writing books, once he turns 60. This is his 60th year, and though the much-awaited tenth film did not arrive, a book did, in 2022. Herein, you get to know his opinions on a 100, maybe more, Hollywood movies, their directors, their screenplay writers, their actors (including bit players) in a back-and-forth, flashback-flashforward roller-coaster ride that you are not likely to have experienced before.

Besides his mother, her boy-friend and a man called Floyd Ray Wilson, a black man who was dating his mother’s flat-mate and later came and lived with the family for a while, spurred the urge to discover more at the movies. Quentin later ran a VHS rental service, and that gave him an opportunity to see his chosen films time and again. He short-lists the following films for a before, during and after discussion: Bullitt (1968), Dirty Harry (1971), Deliverance (1972), The Getaway (1972), The Outfit (1973), Sisters (1973). At the end of the Sisters chapter, Tarantino writes about Barry Brown, the lead actor of Daisy Miller, who committed suicide at the age of 27: “Who was Barry Brown? What did it all mean? Am I the only one who remembers Barry Brown? Am I enough?” 

 

Soon afterwards, he takes us on a memorable ride with Taxi Driver (1976). Page 211 to 233 will tell you things about the unit of Taxi Driver that you could not have possibly known. Oh, I should have mentioned earlier that Tarantino takes time and space out to dissect reviews and reviewers, and, as expected, does not go with the favourites, often at complete variance with them. Yes, Pauline Kael features, so do Charles Champlin, Kevin Thomas, and more. He also devotes a few pages to Bela Lugosi, the horror icon, and his untimely death.

There is a lot of speculation in the book. What if? What is X had played the lead instead of Y? What if A had directed the film instead of B? It’s a nice game, and you get sucked into it real fast. The only problem is that in this part of the world (India), most of the films mentioned either did not get a release or were released in a heavily censored version. This was particularly true of the period 60s-80s. Another fact was that Hollywood films would be released in India up to three years after their American release. And a lot of his references are to the ‘heavily censored’ scenes, so Indians will find it impossible to relate to them, unless they watch them now, at home, without the spectre of censorship. Secondly, there are so many American references that you may never get the context of most of them. You will get to know what I mean when you reach the chapter ‘What if Brian De Palma Directed Taxi Driver Instead of Martin Scorcese?’

Next in his list of selected favourites are Rolling Thunder (1977), Paradise Alley (1978), Escape from Alcatraz, Hardcore (1979), The Funhouse (1981) ending with a Floyd Footnote, a tribute to the man who inspired Django Unchained, but who could never get a screenplay sold.

It is easy reading, impressively written, with language hovering between the literary and the ‘f’ word (galore). The print-face and paper is easy on the eye. Some parts do seem repetitive, but they are there to give emphasis. Many of the films he talks about were seen as a double feature, a system that might be alien to Indians. You could see two films, successively, for the price of one or choose which one. Of course this was confined to select cinemas and slightly older movies.

You cannot but marvel at the amount of information Quentin Tarantino packs into the book. For a non-American who is interested in Hollywood, this is an encyclopaedia. It is, at the same time, in small measure, his autobiography. After reading Cinema Speculation, you realise why his screenplays and dialogue are so effective. Tarantino has very good command, over the English (American) language and the medium of cinema. Not to mention an elephantine memory. Of course, seeing each film a number of times helps sharpen that gigabyte edge.

If there is one thing you miss in the book, it is more pictures. Guess the copyright laws in the USA must have come in the way of this added attraction.

Don’t speculate! Get a copy.



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Kim Jong Un talks up North Korea's nuclear capability as daughter watches missile test

North Korea must be ready to launch nuclear counter strikes at any time to deter war, state media quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying on Monday, as he accused the United States and South Korea of expanding joint military drills near the country's doorstep.

King Charles marks first Mother's Day since Queen's death

Britain's King Charles has remembered the late Queen on the first Mother's Day in the UK since her death.

Sunday, 19 March 2023

Trump and Le Pen backed these Dutch farmers -- now they've sprung an election shock

A farmers' protest party in the Netherlands has caused a shock after winning provincial elections this week just four years after their founding. Could their rise have wider implications?

US B-1B strategic bombers in drills with South Korea on same day as North Korean missile launch

North Korea on Sunday launched a "suspected ballistic missile," Japan's Ministry of Defense reported.

Hundreds protest clampdown on same-sex parents in Milan

Hundreds took to the streets of Milan on Saturday to protest against moves by Italy's new right-wing government to restrict the rights of same-sex parents.

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake leaves at least 16 dead, damages one of Ecuador's biggest cities

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck near the southern town of Baláo in Ecuador Saturday afternoon, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Imran Khan marks court presence as former Pakistan leader's supporters clash with police

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan marked his presence at a much-awaited court appearance on Saturday in the capital city of Islamabad, leaving after the scheduled proceedings.

French workers may have to retire at 64 and many are in uproar. Here's why

Impromptu protests broke out in Paris and across several French cities Thursday evening following a move by the government to force through reforms of the pension system that will push up the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Saturday, 18 March 2023

Russian mercenary chief announces plans to recruit 30,000 more fighters

The chief of Russia's Wagner private military group Yevgeny Prigozhin announced on Saturday that he plans to recruit about 30,000 new fighters by mid-May, according to a voice message published on Telegram.

UK Home Secretary visits Rwanda to discuss controversial deportation scheme

British Home Secretary Suella Braverman arrived in Rwanda on Saturday to discuss a controversial agreement which will see the UK deport asylum seekers deemed to have arrived illegally to the African nation.

Turkey was devastated by an earthquake. Here's what that means for tourism

It was shaping up to be a golden year for tourism in Turkey. With favorable exchange rates sweetening the deal for visitors, the country's beautiful beaches, historic cities and geological wonders were poised for a post-pandemic tourism revival.

Opinion: Inside Saddam Hussein's 'chamber of horrors,' I reflect on 20 years since the Iraq War

Two decades ago, on March 19, 2003, then-President George W. Bush ordered the US invasion of Iraq. A week later, near Najaf, a city in southern Iraq, then-US Major General David Petraeus turned to the American journalist Rick Atkinson and asked him a simple question: "Tell me how this ends." That remains an excellent question.

Nigerians to vote in governorship polls as ruling party scrambles to regain lost ground in key states

Nigerians will on Saturday vote in delayed governorship polls, weeks after a controversial and disputed presidential election.

Friday, 17 March 2023

A quake of unthinkable proportions is due in Istanbul. Residents ask if the city is prepared

For more than five weeks, Turkey has grappled with the aftermath of a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the country's south-east. But further afield, in its biggest and most populous city, pressure is mounting on authorities to prepare for the possibility of another natural disaster of unthinkable proportions.

US has seen 'significant spike' in aggressive Russian military flights in Syria this month, commander says

The US has seen a "significant spike" in aggressive Russian military flights in Syria this month, the commander of US Central Command said Thursday, two days after Russian jets harassed and collided with a US drone over the Black Sea.

Swell life: China's surf scene is heating up



US agrees to sell 220 Tomahawk missiles to Australia

The US State Department has approved Australia's request to buy up to 220 long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to arm its navy ships and the US nuclear-powered submarines it agreed to buy this week.

French government sparks fury as it forces through higher retirement age



At least 4 Palestinians killed in IDF operation in Jenin

At least four Palestinians were killed on Thursday and 23 others injured after an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Authority Health Ministry. At least five of the injured are in critical condition, the health ministry added.

Thursday, 16 March 2023

Photographer took 40,000 shots to capture these extraordinary birds

"I'm willing, more than most people, to go through some discomfort."

Experts: this is the best cash back card of 2022



More than two tons of natural uranium missing in Libya, nuclear watchdog says

Efforts are underway to find more than two tons of natural uranium reported missing from supplies held in Libya, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Wednesday.

Violent clashes erupt in Naples ahead of Napoli's Champions League match against Frankfurt

Violent clashes erupted in the Italian city of Naples on Wednesday as ticketless German soccer fans descended on the city for a key Champions League match which they had been banned from attending.

'Everything is gone': Malawi devastated by cyclone that killed hundreds

Tropical Cyclone Freddy is losing strength after it ripped through southern Malawi, killing at least 225 people, but the resulting devastation has left survivors trapped and fighting for survival.

Wednesday, 15 March 2023

Moody's sees harder times ahead for all US banks and puts six on 'downgrade' watch

Moody's Investors Service cut its outlook for the entire US banking sector and placed six US banks on review for potential credit rating downgrades, in the wake of last week's collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

Lie-flat economy cabin concept could revolutionize air travel

From a cabin concept that completely eradicates the middle seat to a swanky design that takes single-aisle aircraft business class to a new level, this year's Crystal Cabin Awards shortlist offers an exciting glimpse at aviation's potential future.

China has shattered the assumption of US dominance in the Middle East

With a grandiose diplomatic flourish China brokered a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, in the process upending US calculus in the Gulf and beyond.

Tilda Swinton says she will not be wearing a mask on set of new movie

Three years into the pandemic, Tilda Swinton is ready to put Covid-19-related film set rules behind her.

Clashes in Pakistan as police try to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan

Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with police seeking to arrest him outside his home on Tuesday, even as the longtime politician told CNN that he was "mentally prepared to spend the night in a cell."

Remember when Gillian Anderson wore this exposed thong on Oscars night?

The scene: The year was 2001 at the Academy Awards. Julia Roberts won Best Actress for her role as Erin Brockovich and celebrated with then-boyfriend Benjamin Bratt. "Gladiator," "Traffic" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" picked up multiple awards throughout the night. Björk, infamously, wore a dress with a white swan looped around her neck.

Ireland women's rugby team switch to dark shorts amid period anxieties

The Ireland women's rugby team has made a permanent switch from white to navy shorts in response to players' concerns about period anxieties.

Tuesday, 14 March 2023

Xi's tightens grip, hardens stance on US: Key takeaways from China's annual political meetings

China's most important annual political meetings wrapped up Monday, leaving leader Xi Jinping firmly at the helm of a superpower that appears more eager to push back against the United States than at any time in decades.

No public holiday for Michelle Yeoh's Oscar win, Malaysia confirms after disinformation goes viral

Michelle Yeoh's history-making Oscar win caused jubilation this week in her native Malaysia, but it also sparked false rumors that a national holiday had been declared -- something the country's government quickly dispelled.

Japan court orders retrial of longest-serving death row convict over 1966 murder case

The world's longest-serving death row convict was on Monday granted a retrial by a Japanese court in the latest twist in a legal saga dating back to the 1960s.

Rihanna stuns in Alaïa gown on the Oscars red carpet

Dressed in a sheer, form-fitting gown, Rihanna arrived on the Oscars' champagne-colored carpet with her baby bump proudly on display — her first high-profile public appearance since last month's Super Bowl.

What 'Everything Everywhere' has taught us about racism and representation in Hollywood

Throughout the awards season, the stars and creators of "Everything Everywhere All at Once" have shared their personal experiences with racism and representation in Hollywood.

Experts: this is the best cash back card of 2022



Monday, 13 March 2023

Saudi oil giant Aramco becomes latest energy firm to post record profits

Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco on Sunday reported a record annual net profit of $161.1 billion for 2022, up 46% from the year earlier, on higher energy prices, increased volumes sold and improved margins for refined products.

Nobel Prize-winning Japanese novelist Kenzaburo Oe dies at 88

Japanese Nobel Prize-winning author Kenzaburo Oe, a writer who was renowned for a strong pacifist stance that weaved its way into much of his work, has died of "old age", his publisher confirmed Monday.

Gary Lineker will be allowed back on BBC after impartiality storm

Gary Lineker will resume his duties on the BBC's flagship soccer show after an impartiality storm over his criticism of the government's asylum policy that plunged Britain's public broadcaster into scheduling chaos over the weekend.

Taiwan says soldier who went missing has been found in China

A Taiwanese soldier who went missing last week from an island near the Chinese coast has been found in mainland China, a Taiwan official said on Monday, raising the possibility of a highly unusual defection amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

UK ramps up defense spending by $6 billion ahead of key AUKUS submarine announcement

The United Kingdom will ramp up defense spending by $6 billion to "fortify" against growing threats from Russia and China, the country's leader announced on the eve of highly anticipated talks with AUKUS partners, the United States and Australia.

North Korea fires submarine missiles ahead of largest US-South Korea military drills in years

North Korea launched two missiles from a submarine in waters off its east coast over the weekend, according to state media, and vowed to take "the toughest counteraction" against the largest joint military drills by the United States and South Korea in years that kick off Monday.

Sunday, 12 March 2023

Paris has a trash problem

The City of Lights has a garbage problem.

China's new defense minister is a general the US sanctioned for buying Russian weapons

China on Sunday appointed a US-sanctioned general as its new defense minister.

After a tragic shipwreck, no peace for the dead or living

Two weeks after a boat packed with migrants sank off the coast of southern Italy, there is still no peace for the living or the dead, and the missing -- mostly children -- continue to wash up on the beaches.

Iran arrests more than 100 people over suspected poisonings of schoolgirls

Iran has arrested more than 100 people "in connection with" the suspected poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls across the country, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Soccer game falls into chaos after presenter is sidelined for immigration policy comments

The BBC's weekend soccer coverage has been plunged into chaos following its announcement Gary Lineker would "step back" from presenting, after he became embroiled in an impartiality row when he criticized British government policy on Twitter.

Opinion: China's new role: relationship coach on the world stage

It was the handshake heard round the world. Indeed, the agreement between long-time foes Saudi Arabia and Iran to bury the hatchet and re-establish diplomatic relations after years of confrontation and religious hostility, must inevitably take a back seat to the venue and the peacemaker who brokered this landmark pact.

Authorities urge Japanese theme park to crack down on visitors taking lewd selfies

Japanese authorities have vowed to take action following reports that visitors to a theme park showcasing scenes from beloved animated films have been taking indecent photographs of themselves with statues of the characters.

Saturday, 11 March 2023

The US helped prevent AIDS from being a death sentence in Africa. Now the epidemic is at a crossroads

Fourteen-year-old Philasande Dayimani carries a burden that no child should carry.

Chinese city proposes lockdowns for flu -- and faces a backlash

A Chinese city has sparked a backlash on social media after saying it would consider the use of lockdowns in the event of an influenza outbreak.

China appoints Li Qiang, a trusted ally of Xi Jinping, as premier

China's rubber-stamp legislature has appointed Li Qiang, a long-time aide of leader Xi Jinping, as premier, the man tasked with reviving the world's second-largest economy after three years of zero-Covid restrictions.

Deadly mass shooting at Jehovah's Witnesses center in Hamburg stuns Germany

German police were on Friday investigating the possible motive after a shooter killed seven people at a Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Hamburg.

Why the future looks bright for Victoria Beckham

With her second runway show at Paris Fashion Week behind her, Victoria Beckham appears to be ushering in an exciting new era for her eponymous label, nearly 15 years since it launched.

Friday, 10 March 2023

Judge under fire for ordering breastfeeding mother to leave courtroom

An Australian judge has been widely criticized for asking a breastfeeding mother to leave a public gallery in his courtroom and then defending his decision as "self-explanatory."

Outgoing president of Micronesia accuses China of bribery, threats and 'political warfare'

The outgoing president of Micronesia has accused China of engaging in "political warfare" in the Pacific, in an explosive letter advocating for the the dissolution of diplomatic ties with Beijing.

What happens to your body on a long-haul flight

If crowded airports are a sign, travelers are keen to get back into the skies. And if you're flying long haul, in a few years you could have an even longer option.

Xi Jinping's norm-busting third term as China's president rubber stamped

Xi Jinping's unprecedented third term as China's president was officially rubber stamped by the country's political elite on Friday, solidifying his control and making him the longest-serving head of state of Communist China since its founding in 1949.

British coach suspended for using 'industrial language,' mocking people with disabilities

British high jump coach Fayaaz "Fuzz" Caan has been handed a three-year suspension following a UK Athletics (UKA) disciplinary investigation into his conduct, the sport's national governing body has announced.

Thursday, 9 March 2023

Credit Suisse delays annual report after 'late call' from the SEC

Credit Suisse can't catch a break.

The number of available jobs in the US shrank in January

There's a slight chill running through the US labor market, but the temperature is still too high for the Federal Reserve.

Japanese police arrest 3 for taking part in 'sushi terrorism' pranks

Police in central Japan have arrested three people for taking part in pranks at a sushi conveyor belt restaurant.

Anti-Netanyahu protesters in Israel block roads to airport in latest nationwide demonstration

Protesters blocked the road to one of the main terminals of Israel's central international airport on Thursday, intensifying a nationwide movement against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to weaken the country's judicial system.

Indonesian court jails soccer official for role in deadly stadium crush

An Indonesian court on Thursday found a senior soccer official guilty of negligence for his role in the deaths of more than 130 people during a crowd crush at a match in the country's East Java province last year, one of the worst disasters in the sport's history.

US transfers alleged al Qaeda bomb maker from Guantanamo Bay to Saudi Arabia

The US transferred an alleged al Qaeda bomb maker from Guantanamo Bay to Saudi Arabia, the Defense Department announced Wednesday, part of the Biden administration's ongoing efforts to close the prison facility.

Georgia protests over foreign agents bill continue into second day

Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the Georgian parliament on Wednesday in the second day of protests in capital city Tbilisi over a draft "foreign agents" bill that critics fear could drive a wedge between the Caucasian nation and Europe.

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Freddy set to be world's longest-lasting tropical cyclone as it threatens to hit Mozambique a second time

Deadly Tropical Cyclone Freddy is set to break records for the longest-lasting storm of its kind as it appears on course to hit Mozambique for a second time, more than two weeks after the first.

Yellow duck calendars land Thai man jail term for insulting monarchy

A political activist arrested in Thailand for selling satirical calendars featuring yellow ducks has been sentenced to two years in prison for insulting King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a legal assistance group has said.

China's 'attacks' unite region against Beijing, US ambassador to Japan says

China should not be surprised Washington and its allies in Asia are deepening military ties given Beijing's aggressive behavior toward many of its neighbors, the US ambassador to Japan said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with CNN.

Why El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele wants everyone to know about his new prison

Last week, El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele posted a typically divisive video on Twitter. To the sound of thrilling fast-paced music, it showed hundreds of detainees being transferred to a new "megaprison" officially named the Center for Confining Terrorism. Constructed last year to host the Central American country's burgeoning prison population, it is the largest prison in the Americas, with capacity for 40,000 inmates.

New wave of Afghan migrants reaches Mexico

Nearly two years after US President Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, Mexico is seeing a small but unusual spike in Afghan migrants who are seeking asylum or traversing through the country.

Two dead, 16 injured in train derailment in Egypt

At least two people were killed, and 16 others were injured after a train derailed north of Cairo on Tuesday, according to Egypt's Health Ministry.

One of India's trash mountains is on fire again and residents are choking on its toxic fumes

Firefighters in the southern Indian city of Kochi were toiling Tuesday to control toxic fumes from spreading after a landfill burst into flames five days ago, cloaking the area in a thick haze and choking residents.

Six Palestinians killed in Israeli raid targeting suspect in shooting of settler brothers

Israeli forces staged a daylight raid into Jenin in the occupied West Bank targeting the suspect in the killing of two Jewish settlers, leaving the suspect and at least five other Palestinian men dead, officials on both sides said Tuesday.

Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Suspected suicide attack kills at least nine police officers in southwestern Pakistan

At least nine police officers were killed and 11 others injured in a suspected suicide blast in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Monday, authorities said, the latest in a string of recent attacks against security personnel in the South Asian nation.

Unpleasant truth about air travel's 'golden age'

Long lines at security checkpoints, tiny plastic cups of soda, small bags of pretzels, planes filled to capacity, fees attached to every amenity -- all reflect the realities of 21st century commercial air travel. It's no wonder that many travelers have become nostalgic for the so-called "golden age" of air travel in the United States.

What travelers to Turkey need to know

It's been nearly a month since a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, claiming the lives of thousands of people and injuring many more.

CNN's Fareed Zakaria sits down for an exclusive interview with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss his meeting with President Biden and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

Kandinsky painting recovered by Holocaust victims' heirs sets auction record at nearly $45 million

A painting by Russian Modernist Wassily Kandinsky that once belonged to victims of the Nazi Holocaust, has sold for £37.2 million ($44.55 million) at Sotheby's in London.

Tiffany & Co. unveils BTS star Jimin as brand ambassador

As luxury brands continue to court South Korea's booming luxury market, Tiffany & Co. has unveiled K-pop star Jimin as its newest brand ambassador.

US imposes visa sanction on Syrian military official over massacre that killed at least 41 unarmed civilians

The US State Department on Monday imposed a visa sanction on a Syrian military official whom it says killed at least 41 unarmed civilians in a neighborhood of Damascus in April 2013.

Monday, 6 March 2023

Analysis: China sets lowest GDP growth target in decades as Beijing tightens its belt

China's outgoing Premier Li Keqiang has announced the country's lowest GDP growth target in decades, highlighting the domestic and global challenges the world's second largest economy still faces despite its decision late last year to ditch draconian anti-Covid measures.

US allies South Korea and Japan make deal to ease strains over wartime labor dispute

South Korea on Monday announced a deal to compensate victims of forced labor by Japan during its occupation of Korea as the two United States allies try to smooth relations in the face of an increasingly turbulent Indo-Pacific security situation.

Suspected suicide attack kills at least nine police officers in southwestern Pakistan

At least nine police officers were killed and 11 others injured in a suspected suicide blast in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Monday, authorities said, the latest in a string of recent attacks against security personnel in the South Asian nation.

Hidden passage discovered in 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid of Giza

A hidden corridor nine meters (30 feet) long has been discovered close to the main entrance of the 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid of Giza, and this could lead to further findings, Egyptian antiquities officials said on Thursday.

Fire rips through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh leaving thousands homeless

A massive fire has ripped through a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh's southern district of Cox's Bazar on Sunday, leaving around 12,000 people homeless, local Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mahfuzul Islam told CNN.

Turkey is blocking NATO's expansion. That could backfire

When Sweden and Finland declared their intention to join NATO last May, it was seen by many as a poke in the eye for Russia and evidence of a shift in European thinking. Historically, both countries had committed to non-alignment with NATO as a way of avoiding provoking Moscow. The invasion of Ukraine changed that. 

Sunday, 5 March 2023

Wave of suspected poison attacks on schoolgirls sparks protests in Iran

Worried parents protested in Iran's capital Tehran and other cities on Saturday over a wave of suspected poison attacks that have affected schoolgirls in dozens of schools, according to Iranian news agencies and social media videos.

Hong Kong model's death, dismemberment resurfaces memories of past horrors

The postcard image of Hong Kong is one of glitzy skyscrapers against lush mountains, dim sum restaurants and investment bankers in suits.

Travel roundup: Europe will start charging for entry in 2024

• Flight attendant's secrets for long flights

Holy oil to anoint King Charles III on his coronation, has been consecrated in Jerusalem

The sacred oil that will be used to anoint King Charles III at his coronation May 6, has been consecrated at a Christian holy site in Jerusalem, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Saturday, 4 March 2023

North Korea's food shortage could take a deadly turn

Concerns about North Korea's chronic food shortages are growing, with multiple sources suggesting this week that deaths due to starvation are likely.

Harry and Meghan asked to vacate residence gifted by the late Queen

• Lea Michele's 'Funny Girl' run to end as Broadway musical plans to close later this year • Jenna Ortega wishes her generation was better represented in stories: 'We can be smart' • Travis Scott and his lawyer expected to meet with NYPD next week after assault accusation

Fire at Indonesian fuel storage station kills at least 16

At least 16 people were killed in a fire at a fuel storage station in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia reported on Friday.

King Charles' meeting with EU chief is being criticized. Here's why

Royals speak through actions more than words, which often leaves royal commentators reading into what they do without the benefit of an explanation. This week, it came down to a handshake.

Friday, 3 March 2023

Tesla to build next plant in Mexico

Tesla's next vehicle assembly plant will be in Mexico near Monterrey, CEO Elon Musk announced Wednesday.

South Korea doesn't need nuclear weapons to face the North, prime minister says

South Korea doesn't need nuclear arms to deter the threat from North Korea, the country's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in an exclusive interview with CNN -- even as public opinion swings the other way amid Asia's accelerating arms race.

US agency assessment backing Covid lab leak theory raises more questions than answers -- and backlash from China

The US Department of Energy's assessment that Covid-19 most likely emerged due to a laboratory accident in China has reignited fierce debate and attention on the question of how the pandemic began.

Chinese city claims to have destroyed 1 billion pieces of personal data collected for Covid control

A Chinese city says it has destroyed a billion pieces of personal data collected during the pandemic, as local governments gradually dismantle their coronavirus surveillance and tracking systems after abandoning the country's controversial zero-Covid policy.

When disaster strikes, this CNN Hero springs into action

At home in Anchorage, Alaska, nurse Teresa Gray was playing a board game with her children when she heard about the massive earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6.

Death toll from rail disaster rises to 57 as anger boils in Greece

Anger in Greece over poor railway safety grew on Thursday as the death toll from one of the country's worst train crashes in recent years reached 57.

Peter Obi vows to challenge Nigerian election result: 'We won and we will prove it'

Nigeria's third-placed presidential candidate, Peter Obi, strongly rejected the results and vowed to contest them in the courts, in his first public address since Saturday's election.

A flight attendant's secrets to surviving long-haul flights

Any air travel can be stressful, but facing down a long-haul flight can be especially intimidating.

Thursday, 2 March 2023

What travelers to Turkey need to know

It's been nearly a month since a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, claiming the lives of thousands of people and injuring many more.

Australia's Aboriginal LGBTQ community takes center stage at Sydney WorldPride

At a temporary Aboriginal gathering space dubbed Marri Madung Butbut — or "Many Brave Hearts" in the language of Sydney's original inhabitants, the Gadigal people — eight performers emerged through lasers and lights that appear to move and thrust to the electronic beat.

Indonesian security forces in standoff with rebels holding New Zealand pilot hostage

Indonesian security forces say they have surrounded armed rebels holding a New Zealand pilot captive in the restive Papua region but will refrain from taking any action that could endanger his life.

Putin ally Lukashenko meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing

Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko -- a close ally of Vladimir Putin -- on Wednesday, in a state visit that comes as the West warns China against providing lethal aid for Putin's war in Ukraine.

Wednesday, 1 March 2023

Gulf states eye Egypt's private sector as army told to get out of the economy

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi last month sent a message to his Gulf allies. "The most important point here is support from our brothers," he said at the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai, where he was guest of honor.

Who is Nigeria's new President-elect Bola Tinubu?

Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the winner of a closely fought contest for Nigeria's presidency. But who is the man who will lead Africa's largest economy -- as well as inherit its plethora of economic and security crises?

Triangle of Sadness: An American Marxist and a Russian Capitalist on a $250 m yacht

Triangle of Sadness: An American Marxist and a Russian Capitalist on a $250 m yacht

As movies go, there are several advantages of being different. Genre films have been beaten to death and critics, not to mention discerning audiences, are dying to watch something different. There are those who are different by virtue of original ideas, while others are different for the sake of being different. Let’s begin with the title: in the first few minutes of the film, you are told that it is something that is formed with your two eyebrows as the base, going up to the top of your nose, and can be concealed within minutes with botox, so you don’t die wondering. Triangle of Sadness is not about the triangle of sadness, though it is about a lot of other things.

It is an art to have a large cast, get all of them due exposure, change tracks in the narrative ever so often, and yet manage to get a grip on the viewers. You would need to make a long film, and a long film it is: 147 minutes, no less. Since a large part of the film takes place on a luxury yacht, comparison’s will be drawn with Titanic. All the more because class conflict is at the core of almost all the conversations aboard the yacht, and even before we get on to the yacht. But the class divisions in Triangle of Sadness are more in-your-face, bringing in the American government as super-villain. It might also remind you about the Roman Emperor Nero. A queer kettle of fish (there is so much fish in the movie), it might need two viewings to fully decode. However, it was good enough to bag the Palme d’Or at Cannes last year.

The film begins with Carl auditioning for a model casting, with other male models. A TV anchor asks them whether they are auditioning for a grumpy brand or a smiley brand. He has not done much work. On the other hand, his girl-friend Yaya is much more established as a model, and she even opens the fashion show of a new brand, while her boyfriend Carl watches the show from a back-row seat. Afterwards, the couple goes out to dine at a fancy restaurant and has a rather ugly disagreement about who should pay the bill. To Carl, in a man-woman relationship, everything about gender roles should be equal, and he waits for Yaya to pick up the bill, especially since she had promised to do so the previous night. Yaya, however, seems to like the fact that her man would be ready to keep her needs covered, and she is more of a believer in the transactional nature of a relationship. Disgruntled by the dinner and the following taxi ride back to the hotel, the couple initially spends some time away from each other until Yaya finally returns to Carl’s room. The lovers seem to make up, and Carl makes a half-serious promise that he will make Yaya fall in real love with him some-day soon, beyond the transactional phase that they are in at present.

A few days later, Carl and Yaya take an all-expenses-paid luxury cruise trip on a $250 m yacht as part of her modelling/social media influencer job, and the couple makes acquaintances with the rest of the super-rich guests. They include Russians, British and Germans. The yacht’s captain is an eccentric man who refuses to come out of his cabin for days, insisting that he is not sick. But he has to come out to host the Captain’s dinner, which, he insists, must be held on Thursday, because a storm is predicted that day.  As the glaring class divide and privileges that come along with it get more apparent, the luxury yacht sails through matters of social hierarchy and empty ideology. The Captain and a Russian guest indulge in a quote for quote game, on socialism, Marxism, capitalism, etc. To the guests’ misfortune, rough weather and a pirate attack follow in quick succession, leading to the yacht crashing in the middle of the sea. First, all of them throw-up by the gallon, and then the pirates target the yacht with a grenade made in the British billionaire guest’s factory. Carl and Yaya are among the lucky few to survive the blast as they wash up on a nearby island. Soon afterwards, the social class structure of the stranded group is toppled over completely. Abigail, a toilet cleaner, takes over as Captain, because she hunts the fish and cooks for every-body.

Written and directed by Ruben Östlund (English feature debut), Triangle of Sadness defies being classified into any genre. We can call it satire or black comedy, but these will be approximations. It also works in the multi-track genre, moving from one plot direction to another, within the same milieu. Savour this: A TV crew is interviewing male modelling hopefuls with the anchor passing judgements on aspects of modelling and male modelling every minute. Move on to the dinner at the restaurant and the follow-up at the hotel. Shift focus on to the yacht. Then introduce the staff and the guests, with each having a story to tell. Bring in a woman who, after an accident, can only speak three words. All this requires some writing. The only part I found really overdone was the community vomitting and overflowing toilets.

Östlund has done a very good piece of casting, so that when his actors are discussing issues or arguing or even making love, they look natural. Just when you start wondering whether Woody Harrelson was worth casting in this role, he comes into his own. It is a lavishly mounted film, with an endless list of producers, from these countries: Sweden, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Mexico, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland, United States and Turkey. He gives you no hint that the main cast is going to land-up on an island and that the film will have and open end. The lift scene easily comes to mind, as a no-decision zone. The lift doors open and close a dozen times. Carl and Yaya are making them open every time they close, but they are arguing and unable to resolve their differences. In the end, he is going to bring the lift into play again, but in a new mode. Very cleverly, he shifts Carl and Yaya aside, almost away from the camera, as the other players take centre-stage on the yacht.

Obviously British actor Harris Dickinson (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil-2019, The King's Man-2021), as Carl is intense, sharp and uninhibited. Spare a tear for Charlbi Dean (Yaya), who died last August. The South African actress, who had acted in just eight films, had a wow figure and a bright future. Her scenes with Harris were palpable. Dolly Earnshaw de Leon as Abigail, with a giveaway Filipina accent, carries a host of emotions with ease. Vicki Berlin as Paula is perfect as the head of the service team. Woody Harrelson as the Captain gets to mouth probably the boldest indictment of the American government’s role in assassinations, creating unviable states, election rigging and coups. He impresses as the only man on board who remains unmoved in the midst of a storm and sewage overflow.

Cinematography by Fredrik Wenzel is up to the task, and as the yacht sways, it is his camera that does the trick. Carl and Yaya’s two-shots are very well composed. Editing his own work, Ruben Östlund gets a wee bit carried away, though Mikel Cee Karlsson was around to steady the yacht.

Music by Mikkel Maltha and Leslie Ming has a life of its own. I tried to match the notes with the scenes, but got nowhere. But when I heard it on its own, it was very impressive.

Rating: ***

Trailer: https://youtu.be/VDvfFIZQIuQ



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Japan births fall to record low as population crisis deepens

The number of births registered in Japan plummeted to another record low last year -- the latest worrying statistic in a decades-long decline that the country's authorities have failed to reverse despite their extensive efforts.

Nestlé to close factory, office in Myanmar

Nestlé has announced that it will close its sole factory and head office in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, as it switches to a more "sustainable" business model amid ongoing turmoil in the country.

US citizen killed in West Bank as Israeli-Palestinian tensions rise

An Israeli-American citizen was killed in the occupied West Bank as tensions in the region continued to ratchet up after a weekend of violence.

Metium (flute) of Zeme tribe